Description of how to grow an astrantia plant on a personal plot, recommendations for reproduction, possible diseases and pests in garden cultivation, curious notes, species and varieties. Astrantia in scientific literature can also be called Zvezdovka. The plant is part of the Apiaceae family. Basically, representatives of this genus can be found in Europe (central, eastern and southern regions), Asia Minor and the Caucasus. These flowers prefer the edges and clearings in deciduous forests or grow in subalpine meadows. There are not very many varieties - only 11 pieces (according to the site The Plant List), but on their basis, breeders have bred many garden forms.
| Family name | Umbrella |
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Growth features | Herbaceous |
| Reproduction | Seed and vegetative (cuttings or division of the rhizome) |
| Landing period in open ground | Rooted cuttings, planted in June |
| Disembarkation scheme | Seedlings at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other, seedlings - 30-40 cm |
| Substrate | Any garden, loose and nutritious |
| Illumination | Open area with bright lighting, partial shade or shade |
| Moisture indicators | Moisture stagnation is harmful, watering is moderate, drainage can be used |
| Special Requirements | Unpretentious |
| Plant height | 0.15-0.9 m |
| Color of flowers | White to deep ruby |
| Type of flowers, inflorescences | Umbrella |
| Flowering time | May June |
| Decorative time | Spring-summer |
| Place of application | Borders, ridges, mixborders, flower beds and flower beds |
| USDA zone | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
There is still no exact data on what was the name of this genus of plants. According to one version, the origins lead to the word "astron", which translates as a star, which, apparently, indicated the structure of the flower and was also reflected in the name in Russian - asterisk and "antion" meaning - opposite, this is how the covering foliage of Astrania was described. There are generally fantastic assumptions that one of the stars fell to the ground, because it fell in love with a young guy, but when it touched its surface, it crumbled into small parts, which turned into amazing bright flowers.
Astrantia's rhizome is shallow and aromatic. He has straight stems that are not very branching. The height of the stems can vary from 15 cm to 90 cm. When flowering, the diameter of the bush can reach 40-50 cm. The surface of the stems is bare. There are few leaves on them, they form a rosette in the root zone and grow somewhat on the stem itself. The petiole of the basal leaves varies in length within the range of 10–20 cm. The outlines of the leaf plates are pinnate, palmate-lobed, or palmate-divided. They are 3–7 leaflets with an obovate or lanceolate shape. There are denticles along the edge of the leaf lobes. The length of such basal leaves can reach 8-15 cm. Those leaves of Astrantia that grow on the stem have two forms: lanceolate and stalk-embracing. Such leaves are sessile, have a three-lobed apex. The color of the foliage is grassy or bright greenish. Veins can be seen on the surface of the leaves, since their color is slightly lighter.
Umbrella-shaped inflorescences are made up of many small flowers, which resemble stars in their outlines. The diameter of the inflorescences is 2-3 cm. Their color may vary depending on the species, but mainly white, greenish-white and pinkish-ruby shades prevail. Flower bracts are numerous, there are 10–20 of them, while in length they reach 10–18 mm. Their top is pointed. Those flowers that are formed in the central part can be both male and female, but the marginal flowers in the inflorescence are only male. There are 5 petals, their color is white (or slightly reddish), five stamens are formed or their number is many. The flower reaches only 1 mm in size. The flowering period stretches from early summer to September, although there are species that begin to delight with their flowers on May days.
Because of its aroma, Astrantia is an excellent honey plant that attracts bees. The fruit is poured out by a two-seed. The plant copes well with frosts and droughts, does not require much effort to grow it. It is planted in ridges and mixborders, with the help of stems, borders and central groups in a flower bed are formed. It can also be used for cutting, as it does not lose its decorative effect for a long time.
Astrantia: planting and grooming when growing outdoors
- Landing place. The plant prefers to be in the shade or in a flower bed with partial shade, but there are species in which the flowering becomes especially bright when it is sunny in an open flower garden. But it is better to immediately choose the right location for such bushes, since they grow rather quickly and in 3-4 years will turn into a dense clump. At the same time, the place for it can not be changed for 10-12 years and even longer, while it will not lose its decorative properties.
- Astrantia planting soil. These star flowers are not capricious and can grow in any substrate, although preference is given to loose and rather nutritious compositions, since on them the bush takes on more powerful outlines.
- Landing. It does not require any special knowledge, since even a novice florist can handle the planting of astrania. It is important that the hole be dug so deep that the entire root system can easily fit in it, but you should not deeply bury the plant. Maintain the level of fit that was before. The distance between the seedlings is maintained at 30-40 cm, but for seedlings (delenok) a little more is allocated - up to 40-50 cm. After the plant is planted, the soil in the root zone is slightly compacted and abundant watering is carried out. The flowering of the planted Astrantia bushes can be expected after 3 years.
- Watering. Since Astrantia is drought-resistant, natural precipitation is enough for it, but if it is planted in shade. Otherwise, when located in an open, well-lit place, it is necessary that the soil is constantly slightly moistened. Watering is best done in the morning. If you want to achieve more than one flowering, then it is better to keep the soil slightly moist throughout the growing season, otherwise such flowers are watered only once a week.
- Fertilizers for astrania. If the bushes are planted in fertile soil, then the substances that are in it and were introduced during planting will be enough for them. Subsequently, every spring (in March-April) it is recommended to feed the curtain once with complex mineral preparations. When the soil in which Astrantia grows is poor and its location has not changed for more than three years, then in the second half of summer it is recommended to feed the plant again using phosphorus-potassium preparations. It is better to use fertilizers that are released in liquid form, but if you use dry preparations, then after they are sprinkled on the soil, do not forget to water it thoroughly.
- General advice on care. It is recommended to loosen the soil after watering or rain; regular weeding from weeds is also necessary. If you want to prolong flowering and collecting seeds is not expected, then it is better to remove the wilting inflorescences immediately, cutting off all flower stalks. It will also help form a more symmetrical bush. In order for the soil to be kept moist for a longer time, and the weeds did not grow so quickly, the root zone is mulched using sawdust, pine needles or fallen leaves. Many Astrantia species have high stems, so you need to create a support when planting so that the plant does not suffer on rainy and windy days.
- Wintering. It is necessary at the end of flowering in autumn days to cut off the entire aerial part of Astrantia almost to the level of the soil surface. Then the bushes are mulched using compost or peat. When the plants are still young, they are covered with spruce branches.
Astrantia breeding recommendations
You can get new bushes with star flowers, both by sowing seeds and vegetatively.
If the vegetative method is used, then it is necessary to take short segments of the rhizome or to divide the overgrown bush. Such parts of Astrantia are recommended to be taken after flowering ends (in autumn) or before the foliage blooms and planted in a peat-sandy substrate. It is recommended to use peat pots so that when the time comes for transplanting in open ground, do not injure the root system. In winter, it will be necessary to carry out additional lighting and put containers with seedlings on the southern windowsill so that the plants have enough light. It is necessary to water the seedlings of Astrantia only when the soil in the pots has dried up, since they cannot stand the bay. If by chance buds appear before summer, it is better to remove them so that the plant does not waste energy, but builds up the green mass. The grown bushes are transplanted in June, when the time of return frosts has passed and the soil is thoroughly warmed up.
You can plant directly on the flowerbed, leaving the distance between the seedlings 40-50 cm. When planting, put humus in the hole. After a month, sprouts will form on the cuttings, and after a year they will form into full-fledged bushes. Only when 3 years have passed will it be possible to enjoy the flowering of Astrantia. This method is recommended for breeding especially valuable species.
Seeds of Astrantia can be sown immediately after they are harvested, before winter (in the spring, when the seedlings sprout, they are thinned out) or stratified and sown with the arrival of spring to grow seedlings. During stratification, seeds are placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for 2-3 months. The substrate is taken light, laid on it without covering the seeds, and sprinkled on top with a small earthen layer. The container with crops is covered with plastic wrap and placed in a well-lit place (but without direct sunlight) at a temperature of 20-23 degrees.
When shoots appear, the shelter must be removed, and the lighting level is slightly increased to stimulate growth. After seven days, the seedlings of Astrantia are thinned out. Seedling care will consist of watering when the topsoil begins to dry out and loosening it, protecting it from drafts.
When a couple of real leaves unfold on the Astrantia seedlings, they dive in separate pots (it is better to take peat ones), the composition of the soil is the same. Before planting young plants in open ground, they need to be hardened. For 10 days, they begin in the afternoon to take out the seedlings to the balcony or terrace for 1–2 hours, gradually bringing the time of their stay in the air up to around the clock. Only after that the planting on the flowerbed is carried out.
Possible diseases and pests of Astrania when grown in the garden
The biggest problem when growing Astrantia outdoors is slugs and snails, which are harvested by hand or used with Meta or Thunderstorm preparations. If the substrate is constantly in a waterlogged state, then the plant is affected by fungal diseases, which are recommended to be dealt with with drugs such as Fundazol or Fitosporin, you can use other means with a similar spectrum of action.
Well, if you do not violate the rules for caring for this "star" flower, then it turns out to be extremely resistant to pests or diseases.
Interesting notes and photos of Astrania
Since the stems and rhizomes of Astrantia contain a large amount of essential oils and amino acids, which have long been known for their medicinal properties, the plant is usually used in folk medicine. On the basis of the foliage, preparations are prepared that have been used to treat stomach diseases, help improve digestion and stimulate appetite.
Interestingly, Astrantia is an entomophilous plant, that is, it can be pollinated not only by bees, but mostly beetles are pollinators.
Because of its shade-loving nature, it can be used along with such perennials as aquilegia, arum and astilba; it can be planted next to auga, berry and periwinkle, and this is not a complete list of such flora representatives. When you want to add purple or lilac tones to a flower garden, Astrantia flowers will serve well here, along with oak sage, geraniums, catnip and willow loot.
Types of astrania for the garden
Astrantia major is also called Astrantia large. This type is the most common among florists. However, in natural conditions, it is becoming more and more difficult to meet this plant, since it turned out to be on the verge of extinction, so many countries decided to put it in the Red Book for protection. The distribution area falls on the territory of Central Europe, Ukraine, the western regions of the European part of Russia, Belarusian lands, Moldova and the Baltic countries. Prefers open areas (edges or lawns) in broadleaf or coniferous forests.
Spreading stems can reach 70 cm in height, with a total diameter of a bush of 40 cm, the root rosette is composed of leaf plates, divided into 3–7 lobes. Leaflets have elongated petioles. The size of the leaf can be 10–20 cm. When flowering, simple umbellate inflorescences are formed, the diameter of which can be close to 5 cm. They are made up of flowers of a pale pinkish or green color. This species has been introduced into culture since 1597. The most popular varieties are:
- Moulin Rouge It is distinguished by inflorescences of a wine-red color, with the surrounding wrappers of a claret-purple to almost black tone, blooms most brightly in the sun.
- Ruby Wedding possesses inflorescences in dark red tones and wrappers of a crimson-lilac tone, can reach a height of 65 cm with stems. Prefers partial shade.
- Claret the stems do not exceed 55 cm in height, the flowering period extends from the beginning of summer to September. Prefers shady and semi-shady places, can be grown as a container plant. The inflorescences have a burgundy color and transparent wrappers of the same shade.
Astrantia is the largest (Astrantia maxima). The Caucasus is considered the native land. The species has compact outlines and the height of its stems does not exceed 70 cm. The leaf plates are tripartite, green in color. The inflorescences are in the shape of a simple umbrella, made up of small pinkish flowers. The diameter of the inflorescence is 4.5 cm. The scarious leaves of the wrappers have a slightly reddish color, their length is not more than 1 cm. Flowering occurs in the period of August-September.
Astrantia minor (Astrantia minor) is a native of the southwestern lands of Europe, can be found in the mountains. In height, the stems of this species reach almost a meter. The foliage is divided into 3–7 lobes, with elongated petioles. Umbrella inflorescences, the diameter of which is 3 cm, are collected from their multiple whitish-pink flowers. Flowering begins in mid-summer and lasts until August. Introduced into culture in 1686.
Astrantia carniolica (Astrantia carniolica). Herbaceous perennial plant with opposite leaves. Their form is finger-split. Whitish flowers are collected in the umbrella inflorescence. The most famous variety is Rubra, in which both the petals of the flowers and the wrappers are painted in a rich pink color, with a transition to a red tone. The stems are close to 70 cm in height. The flowering process takes time from May to late summer.
